On the Iron at Big Cloud

The General Manager of the Transcontinental System glared at the young man who stoodfacing him across the office desk. "Why, you wouldn't last three months!" he snapped."I'd like to try, uncle.""Humph!""I'm qualified for the position," young Holman went on. "I've done my stint with theconstruction gangs and I've spent four years in the Eastern shops. You promised me that ifI'd stick I'd have my chance.""Well, if I did, I didn't promise to put you in the way of making a fool of yourself and alaughing-stock of me, did I? You may be qualified technically, I don't say you're not. In fact, I've been rather pleased with you; that's one reason why you're not going out there totackle something you can't handle. If men like Rawson and Williams can't hold down thejob, what do you expect to do?""No worse than they, at least," Holman answered, quietly. "Look here, uncle, that's justthe point. There aren't any of the men want the position, so I'm not jumping anybody totake it. I'll not make any laughing-stock of you, either. I'm not going out as the Old Man'snephew; just plain Dick Holman. If I don't make good you can wash your hands of myrailroad career.